UN rights chief urges Bahrain to free detained protesters

[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay [official profile] on Thursday urged the government of Bahrain [OHCHR materials] to release detained activists [press release] and exercise restraint against protesters. Pillay called on leaders to "urgently conduct an independent, impartial investigation and bring all those who were responsible for assaulting and killing protestors to justice." She expressed concern over the prosecution of medical professionals and the death sentences [JURIST report] handed to four activists last month. Pillay said:

The trial of civilians before military courts is always a cause of concern. The application of the death penalty without due process and after a trial held in secrecy is illegal and absolutely unacceptable. ... The defendants are entitled to fair trials before civil courts, in accordance with international legal standards and in keeping with Bahrain’s international human rights obligations.

Pillay also repeated calls for the government to allow an assessment mission from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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